Walmart scales back on DEI initiatives, removes certain LGBTQ products from online platform.

• On Monday, Walmart announced that it was discontinuing certain diversity initiatives, removing LGBTQ-related merchandise from its website, and winding down a nonprofit that supported minority programs.
• The largest big-box retailer in the nation is now facing pressure from conservative activists.
• In recent months, some of their equity and inclusion policies have been walked back by companies such as Tractor Supply and Molson Coors.

On Monday, it was confirmed that the company is ending some of its diversity initiatives, removing LGBTQ-related merchandise from its website, and winding down a nonprofit that funded programs for minorities.

A major U.S. employer with 1.6 million workers has withdrawn from diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives due to pressure from conservative activists.

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down affirmative action programs at colleges has also been attributed to some changes.

Some companies, including Lowe's, Ford, and Molson Coors, have recently reversed their equity and inclusion policies.

The LGBTQ community has faced backlash and falling sales from companies like Anheuser-Busch-owned Bud Light and others who have marketed campaigns or merchandise targeting the community.

Walmart stated that it is "open to adapting alongside its employees and patrons who embody the diversity of the nation."

Our journey has been about fostering a sense of belonging, opening doors to opportunities for all associates, customers, and suppliers, and being a Walmart for everyone.

Walmart has announced that it will no longer permit third-party sellers to offer certain LGBTQ-themed items on its website, including items aimed at transgender youth such as chest binders, according to company spokeswoman Molly Blakeman.

Recently, she announced that she would no longer share data with the Human Rights Campaign, a nonprofit that monitors companies' LGBTQ policies, or with other comparable organizations.

The Center for Racial Equity, a nonprofit founded by Walmart in 2020 to combat systemic racism, is being shut down by the big-box retailer. The company had initially pledged $100 million over five years to support the center.

The company has discontinued supplier diversity programs that provided preferential financing to certain groups, including women and minorities, following the Supreme Court decision that invalidated affirmative action.

The company has renamed its former chief diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) role to the chief belonging officer.

Blakeman stated that Walmart will continue to provide grants, disaster relief, and funding for events like Pride parades, but with stricter guidelines on how the funds can be utilized.

A recent victory for the movement to end "wokeness" in corporate America was achieved by Walmart, following pressure from conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who threatened a consumer boycott. Starbuck, a vocal opponent of DEI, had also put pressure on Tractor Supply and announced Walmart's changes in a post on X, calling them "the biggest win yet."

Starbucks had discussions with Walmart about DEI-related changes in the past week, Blakeman stated.

Walmart's DEI changes were first reported by Bloomberg News.